Collectable helmet with interactive features

ABSTRACT

A collectable helmet having two states, a compressed state and an uncompressed state, such that in its compressed state, the collectable helmet appears to similar to traditional collectable helmets and may be displayed as such, and in its uncompressed configuration, appears to be a figure wearing a helmet. The collectable helmet may be designed with a particular theme and may further include features for game play associated with that theme.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to collectable helmets, and more particularly, to collectable helmets with interactive features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collectable helmets are well known in the art and are generally comprised of replicas of helmets representing various sports teams or headgear worn by particular athletes. In some known embodiments, the collectable helmets are full-size; that is, they have substantially the same dimensions as the helmets worn by the athletes. In other known embodiments, the collectable helmets are miniature versions of actual helmets. Riddell is a manufacturer of full-size and miniature collectable helmets.

One common disadvantage in these known collectable helmets is that they are generally intended for display purposes only. That is, while one can pick up the collectable helmet to examine and admire it, the collectable helmet typically does not have any other interesting features other than being a replica of the actual helmet.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide a collectable helmet that can serve the basic purpose of displaying the helmet, but also includes interactive features. What is further needed is a collectable helmet that can transform into a representation of an athlete wearing the collectable helmet. What is also needed is a collectable helmet that provides a game aspect. What is still further needed is a collectable helmet that provides a game aspect associated with or related to the type or theme of the collectable helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a collectable helmet in which a figure, such as a representation of an athlete, may be compressed within the collectable helmet. In its compressed configuration, the collectable helmet may be displayed in a manner similar to traditional collectable helmets. Upon activation by a user, the representation of the athlete is released from the collectable helmet such that the representation of the athlete appears to be wearing the collectable helmet.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the figure is comprised of three sections: a first section resembling a head, a second section resembling a torso with arms, and a third section resembling a lower portion of a body, such as a pair of legs with feet, on a base. The figure may be compressed within the helmet such that each of the first section resembling a head, the second section resembling a torso with arms, and the portion of the third section resembling a pair of legs with feet are completely or substantially covered by the helmet. Accordingly, when the figure is compressed within the helmet, the predominant appearance is that of a collectable helmet and a base.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collectable helmet that includes an associated game play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game play is associated with or related to the type or theme of the collectable helmet. For example, in various embodiments of the present invention, a baseball-themed collectable helmet could include a moveable bat-like object attached to the base for baseball-type game play, a hockey-themed collectable helmet could include a moveable hockey stick-like object attached to the base for hockey-like game play, and a football-themed collectable helmet could include a football-like object that is struck by a moveable object attached to the base that simulates a kicking action.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game play can be accomplished individually or interactively with another user. For example, for individualized play, the baseball-themed collectable helmet may be used in conjunction with a play mat, wherein such play mat resembles a baseball field. The user of the baseball-themed collectable helmet can use the moveable bat-like object attached to the base baseball-themed collectable helmet to strike a ball or disk across the mat. As another example, a user of a first baseball-themed collectable helmet could launch a ball or disk from the base of the first baseball-themed collectable helmet toward a second baseball-themed collectable helmet, and the user of the second baseball-themed collectable helmet tries to strike the ball or disk with the moveable bat-like object attached to the base of the second baseball-themed collectable helmet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game play can be accomplished whether or not the figure is compressed into the collectable helmet.

A more complete understanding the collectable helmet with interactive features will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which will first be described briefly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a collectable helmet in its expanded position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a collectable helmet in its collapsed position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a collectable helmet in its expanded position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a collectable helmet in its expanded position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a collectable helmet in its collapsed position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a collectable helmet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the base of a collectable helmet having a game play feature in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the base of a collectable helmet having a game play feature in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a football-version of a collectable helmet in its expanded position that also includes a game play feature and a miniature football accessory in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a collectable helmet with interactive features. In the detailed description that follows, like reference numbers are used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a collectable helmet 100 in its expanded configuration having a top portion in the form of a helmet 102, a first section 110, a second section 112, and a third section 114, wherein the third section 114 comprises a base portion 104 and a lower body portion 116. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the collectable helmet 100 is in its expanded configuration, the externally visible portion of the first section 11 resembles a head, the externally visible portion of the second section 112 resembles a torso with arms, and the externally visible portion of the lower body portion 116 resembles legs with feet.

The helmet 102 has an interior cavity 120 and a stem 122 extending downward from the top of the interior cavity 120. The first section 110 and second section 112 are capable of moving longitudinally along the lower body portion 116. The third section 114 has an interior space 124 capable of substantially receiving the stem 122 such that the stem 122 reaches into the base portion 104 of the interior space 124. The interior cavity 120 of the helmet 102 is capable of at least substantially covering the first section 110, the second section 112 and the lower body portion 116 when the collectable helmet 100 is in its compressed (i.e. display) configuration. FIG. 2 shows the collectable helmet 100 in it compressed configuration.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of the collectable helmet 100 in its expanded configuration. The collectible helmet 100 contains a spring 140, preferably a helical compression spring, having sufficient force to place the collectable helmet 100 into its expanded configuration when the spring 140 is substantially uncompressed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring 140 is oriented concentrically around the stem 122 and is positioned between the top of the interior cavity 120 of the helmet 102 and a rim 142 located within the interior space 124 of the third section 114. In another embodiment of the present invention, the spring 140 is oriented below the stem 122 such that the stem 122 compresses the spring 140 when the collectable helmet 100 is in its compressed configuration.

In order to retain the collectable helmet 100 in its compressed configuration, the base portion 104 includes a plate 152 having an opening 154 and a second spring 156, preferably a helical compression spring, wherein the plate 152 is capable of substantially lateral movement and the second spring 156, when compressed, has sufficient force to move the plate 152 substantially laterally. The stem 122 has a groove 158 proximate to the end of the stem 122. As the collectable helmet 100 is placed in its compressed configuration, the end of the stem 122 moves the plate 152 substantially laterally and compresses the second spring 156 sufficient to allow the end of the stem 122 to pass through the opening 154 until the groove 158 substantially aligns with the opening 154. When the groove 158 and the opening 154 are substantially aligned, the second spring 156 moves the plate 152 (i.e., the edge of the opening 154) substantially laterally into the groove 158, thereby allowing the collectable helmet 100 to be secured in its compressed configuration. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spacer 190 is utilized to maintain the substantially vertical position of the stem 122, to limit the distance in which the spring 140 can be compressed and aid in the alignment of the groove 158 with the plate 152 (i.e., the edge of the opening 154). The spacer 190 may be oriented concentrically around and exterior to the stem 122 and the spring 140, or alternatively, concentrically around and between the stem 122 and the spring 140. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end of the stem 122 is rounded and the opening 154 has a beveled edge to allow the end of the stem 122 to pass more easily through the opening 154.

The bottom edge of the helmet 102 has a lip 170 and the top of first section 110 has a rim 172 such that the lip 170 is engageable with the rim 172 to prevent the helmet 102 from separating from the first section 110 when the collectable helmet 100 is in its expanded configuration. Also, the bottom of the first section has a second lip 174 and the top of the second section 112 has a plate 176 such that the second lip 174 is engageable with the plate 176 to prevent the first section 110 from separating from the second section 112 when the collectable helmet 100 is in its expanded configuration. Furthermore, the bottom of the second section 112 has a third lip 178 and the third section 114 has a protrusion 180 such that the third lip 178 is engageable with the protrusion 180 to prevent the second section 112 from separating from the third section 114 when the collectable helmet 100 is in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the collectable helmet 100 in its display configuration in which the first section 110, the second section 112 and the lower body potion 116 are all substantially received within the interior cavity 120 of the helmet 102. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the helmet 102 covers substantially all of the first section 110, the second section 112 and the lower body potion 116, so as to not distract from the helmet 102 and to substantially appear as if the helmet is resting on the base portion 104. When the collectable helmet 100 is in its display configuration, the spring 140 is compressed and the plate 152 has retained the stem 122 to maintain the spring 140 in its compressed state. The collectable helmet 100 expands from its display configuration when the plate 152 is moved substantially laterally toward the second spring 156 in order to compress the second spring 156, and when the plate 152 (i.e., the edge of the opening 154) is removed from the groove 158, the stem 122 is released and the spring 140 is allowed to become uncompressed thereby forcing the helmet 102 upwards and placing the collectable helmet 100 in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the collectable helmet 100. Helmet 102, first section 110, second section 112 and third section 114 (which includes base portion 104 and lower body portion 116) are separated into two parts in order to aid assembly of the collectable helmet 100. Helmet 102 includes a rib (not shown, but similar to rib 202) which mates with a notch 204 in the rim 172 of the first section 110 to prevent the helmet 102 from rotating around the first section 110. Similarly, the first section 110 includes a rib 210 which mates with a notch 212 in the plate 176 to prevent the first section 110 from rotating around the second section 112. And the second section 112 includes a rib 220 that mates with a notch 222 in the lower body portion 116 to prevent the second section 112 from rotating around the lower body portion 116. It should be understood that the ribs (e.g. ribs 202, 210 and 220) also serve to increase the strength and rigidity of the forms (e.g. helmet 102, first section 110 and second section 112, respectively).

FIG. 7 shows the top view of the base portion 104 and FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the third section 114 of the collectable helmet 100, wherein each case the base portion 104 includes features for game play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game play relates to the type or theme of collectable helmet 104. For example, a baseball-themed collectable helmet includes features attached to the base that allow for baseball-type game play. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 104 provides for baseball-like game play wherein the base portion 104 includes a bat-like object 300 that is used in conjunction with a spring 302, preferably a torsion spring, both of which are secured to the base portion 104 with a shaft 304. A user pulls back the bat-like object 300 thereby compressing the spring 302 and when released, the spring 302 causes the bat-like object 300 to swing forward. The bat-like object 300 is of suitable shape such that it may be used to strike a disk 306, ball or other suitable object, without allowing such object to slide beneath the bat-like object 300. A play mat (not shown) may be utilized to enhance the game play. For example, a play mat depicting a baseball field would be used in conjunction with the baseball-themed collectable helmet.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 104 includes a disk retention mechanism 310 and disk release mechanism 312 for propelling the disk 306, ball or other suitable object. The disk retention mechanism 310 has an opening 314 and the disk 306 is retained by the disk retention mechanism 310 after the disk 306 is passed through the opening 314. After the disk 306 is retained by the disk retention mechanism 310, the disk release mechanism 312 is used to push the disk 306 through the opening 314, the opening 314 being less than the diameter of the disk 306, and once sufficient force is applied to pass the disk 306 through the opening 314, the disk 306 is launched from the base portion 104.

As mentioned above, the collectable helmet of the present invention can vary in theme. FIG. 9 shows a football-version of a collectable helmet in its expanded position that also includes a game play feature and a miniature football accessory in accordance with the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collectable helmet 10 is primarily constructed out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, which has the qualities of strength, rigidity and durability and is receptive to the addition of pigments. Other materials that have the ability to be injection molded or extruded may also be utilized.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a collectable helmet with play features, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the invention have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims. 

1. A collectible helmet comprising: a helmet section having an interior cavity; a figure; a base portion; wherein the collectable helmet has a first state in which the helmet section substantially covers the figure within the interior cavity of the helmet such that the collectable helmet has the appearance of the helmet section sitting on the base and a second state in which the collectable helmet has the appearance of the figure standing on the base portion wearing the helmet section.
 2. The collectable helmet of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a retention mechanism operatively connectable to the helmet section for retaining the collectable helmet in the first state and releasing the collectable helmet from the first state to the second state.
 3. The collectable helmet of claim 1, wherein the figure is comprised of a first section, a second section and a third section, the first section and second section being capable of moving longitudinally along the third section.
 4. The collectable helmet of claim 1, wherein the figure is comprised of two or more sections, wherein each of the two or more sections are telescopically collapsible.
 5. The collectable helmet of claim 1, wherein the collectable helmet is designed with an associated sports theme.
 6. The collectable helmet of claim 5, wherein the base portion is operatively connected to features providing for game play related to the associated sports theme.
 7. The collectable helmet of claim 5, wherein the base portion is operatively connected to an object that, when placed under tension, is capable of springing forward.
 8. The collectable helmet of claim 5, wherein the base portion includes a disk launching mechanism for launching a disk. 